Elevated transmission of upper respiratory illness among new recruits in military barracks in Thailand.

ABSTRACT:

Background

New recruits within military barracks present conditions favorable for the spread of respiratory pathogens. However, respiratory pathogen transmission in such confined settings in the tropics has not been well studied.

Methods

Recruits in four successive Royal Thai Army basic training classes living in military barracks were monitored for the symptoms of influenza-like illness (ILI) or upper respiratory illness (URI). Classes 1 and 2 were also monitored after basic training. Nasal/throat swabs from acute illnesses were collected and tested by influenza RT-PCR (all four classes). In addition, class 1 had multiplex PCR performed along with the analysis of bed locations within the barracks.

Results

Influenza-like illness/upper respiratory illness rates ranged

SUBMITTER: Levy JW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4605412 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature